A Family Weekend with Papa Moll in Bad Zurzach

“There he is!” No sooner have we arrived in Bad Zurzach than the kids spot their hero: Papa Moll. In this spa town in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland’s best-known comic-book dad accompanies families through the thermal baths, around the adventure golf course, into their family room and even onto a scavenger hunt through town. As far as our children are concerned, one thing is certain: this weekend belongs to Papa Moll.

Papa Moll Makes Waves

Our first stop is the Thermal Baths. Outside, in the spacious park, bare feet pick their way across pebbles, timber and other natural surfaces on the barefoot and balance trail. Then it’s time for the main event: Papa Moll’s Water World.

Among fountains, water channels and locks, the kids dam, pump and splash to their hearts’ content. Overhead, hundreds of LED lights transform the ceiling into a shimmering underwater world. The biggest attraction, however, is the 61-meter tube slide, complete with timing system and viewing windows. Here, every ride becomes a challenge. Who will set the family record?

Later, we drift round and round the current channel, passing Papa Moll characters and comic-style speech bubbles that tell a story along the way. Bubble loungers, massage jets and waterfalls provide moments of relaxation in between. And there’s plenty to discover beyond the pools too, from a bouldering wall to a large sand and water playground.

Around the World with a Golf Club

We don’t leave the water until rumbling stomachs force us out. Lunch is served in the restaurant, where a giant family platter piled high with vegetables, schnitzel, fries, rice, curry and chicken nuggets quickly restores energy levels. The kids immediately disappear into the play area, complete with a Papa Moll house and slide, while I enjoy a rare quiet moment.

The break is well timed. In the afternoon, Papa Moll takes us on a trip around the world – at least in miniature. Right next to the thermal baths, the mini and adventure golf course leads players across twelve imaginative holes inspired by destinations near and far. Some require precision, others a healthy dose of luck. Before long, the competitive spirit returns. Who can sink a hole-in-one? And who ends up stuck behind an obstacle? The mix of traditional mini golf and adventure golf keeps players of all ages engaged, turning a simple round into an entertaining afternoon.

Papa Moll Says Goodnight

By early evening, we check into the VitalBoutique Hotel Zurzacherhof next door to the thermal baths. While we unpack our bags, the kids have already claimed their favorite spot: the bunk bed. It’s the perfect place to flip through books, inspect the toys and settle in for the night. The fact that Papa Moll and his family smile down from the walls only adds to the excitement.

The Family Hit package includes a voucher for the hotel restaurant or, alternatively, an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner for the whole family. Before long, the day’s adventures catch up with everyone and the hotel grows quiet.

One tip: families looking for an extra dose of Papa Moll magic can spend the night in the Papa Moll Barrel Cabin in the hotel garden instead of a family room. Tucked beneath mature trees, it offers a camping-like atmosphere with far more comfort.

Where is Tschips?

After a generous breakfast buffet the next morning, a new Papa Moll adventure awaits. This time, it’s a mission: Papa Moll’s dog, Tschips, has disappeared. Armed with a puzzle booklet from the tourist office, we set off along the Papa Moll Scavenger Hunt to track him down. The route stretches for five kilometers through Bad Zurzach and features fifteen puzzles. Some require quick math, others careful observation or a bit of detective work. Along the way, we explore the town’s historic streets and landmarks almost without noticing. At the end, we solve the mystery and exchange our completed booklet for a small Papa Moll gift. Judging by the children’s reaction, you would think they had uncovered buried treasure.

Final Thoughts

On the drive home, the conversation is as lively as ever. The fastest waterslide run, the best mini-golf shot and the trickiest puzzles are all debated in great detail. As the countryside rolls past outside the window, the kids reach a unanimous verdict: they would happily visit Papa Moll again.